Batteries and related structures having fractal or self-complementary structures

ABSTRACT

An aspect of the subject technology/invention of the present disclosure includes electrode structures or elements/components that have (e.g., present) fractal and/or self-complementary shapes or structures, e.g., on a surface. Such shapes or structures can be pre-existing. The electrodes can be made of any suitable material. The electrodes may function or operate or be used as a “seed” structure to incorporate or receive a material or materials useful for lattice assisted nuclear reactions and/or cold fusion processes.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/263,965, filed on 28 Apr. 2014, entitled “Batteries and RelatedStructures Having Fractal or Self-Complementary Structures,” whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/969,076,entitled “LANR Electrodes Having Fractal Structures and RelatedExcitation Techniques,” filed 21 Mar. 2014, and which also claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/854,544, entitled“Battery Using Self Complementary Rough Electronics and Electrolyte,”filed 26 Apr. 2013; the entire contents of all of which applications areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to batteries and related components,including such that can be used for lattice-assisted nuclear reactions,cold fusion, and chemical-based batteries, and structures and techniquesuseful for the same.

Description of Related Art

Lattice-assisted nuclear reactions and cold fusion have been studiedover the last twenty years. Chemical-based batteries have also beenstudied.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to features of batteries or powercells; such can include devices and/or structures (means) for generatingelectricity based on chemical and/or nuclear reactions.

One aspect of the subject technology/invention of the present disclosureincludes electrode structures or elements/components that have (e.g.,present) fractal shapes and/or self-complementary structures, e.g., on asurface or for an electrode. Such shapes or structures can bepre-existing. The electrodes can be made of any suitable material. Theelectrodes may function or operate or be used as a “seed” structure toincorporate or receive a material or materials useful for latticeassisted nuclear reactions and/or cold fusion processes. For example,such electrodes may include metals or other materials suitable fordeuterium-loading in such lattice assisted nuclear reactions and/or coldfusion processes. Suitable examples include but are not limited tonickel, including (e.g., as particulate inclusions or coatings)palladium, niobium, lithium containing ceramics, tantalum, vanadium,platinum, iridium, boron-10, and/or nickel-boron alloy.

Fractal shapes as the term is used herein can include those thatapproximate or approach the shapes of fractals, either determinative ornon-determinative; such fractal shapes can include shapes defined at anyorder or iteration of a fractal generator, e.g., from according to a nthgeneration or iteration based on a generator shape.

A further aspect of the subject technology/invention of the presentdisclosure includes the application of RF energy to electrodes (e.g.,cathodes) useful or used for LANR or cold fusion processes to enhancesuch processes by supplying energy. Such cathodes may be ones withpre-existing fractal features, e.g. as shown and described herein; orthe cathodes may be ones that have fractal features created during aLANR or cold fusion process (e.g., during annealing) where the cathodedid not have fractal features prior to the LANR or cold fusion process.

Another aspect can include features (surfaces and/or three-dimensionalshapes) that are self-complementary. Self-complementary shapes as theterm is used herein are those that have a closed area (area made with orincluding one or more materials, e.g., a conductor) that is congruent toan open area such that the open and closed areas can be brought intocoincidence through a rigid motion such as offset (translation),reflection, or rotation. The open and closed areas can each be compositeareas, i.e., they may have separate portions. These features can be usedin and/or for the production of electricity. Exemplary embodiments caninclude one or more electrodes (e.g., an anode and/or cathode) thatinclude one or more self-complementary features.

Exemplary embodiments can include electrodes and/or battery componentsthat have both fractal-based and self-complementary based features. Forexample, a battery according to the present disclosure may include anelectrode that has fractal-based features and another electrode (and/orsubstrate) that includes self-complementary based features.

These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits,and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the followingdetailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanyingdrawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings are of illustrative embodiments. They do not illustrate allembodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead.Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save spaceor for more effective illustration; and, the drawings are notnecessarily drawn to scale. Some embodiments may be practiced withadditional components or steps and/or without all of the components orsteps that are illustrated. When the same numeral appears in differentdrawings, it refers to the same or like components or steps.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate perspective views of examples of electrodes(e.g., cathodes or anodes) in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate examples of spectrographs useful for selectingcertain frequencies or bands/ranges of frequencies of radio frequency(RF) energy for application to cathode structures for enhancement oflattice assisted nuclear reactions and/or cold fusion processes.

FIGS. 3A-3D depict examples of self-complementary shapes useful forembodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments are now described. Other embodiments may beused in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessarymay be omitted to save space or for a more effective presentation. Someembodiments may be practiced with additional components or steps and/orwithout all of the components or steps that are described.

Embodiments of the subject technology described herein can provide forbatteries or battery components, where the term “battery” is used in abroad sense to include a component or device that can be utilized forthe production of electrical energy; such may be based on nuclearreaction(s) and/or chemical reaction(s).

An aspect of the subject technology/invention of the present disclosureincludes electrode structures or elements/components that have (e.g.,present) fractal shapes or structures, e.g., on a surface. Such fractalshapes or structures can be pre-existing. The electrodes can be made ofany suitable material. The electrodes may function or operate or be usedas a “seed” structure to incorporate or receive a material or materialsuseful for lattice assisted nuclear reactions and/or cold fusionprocesses. For example, such electrodes may include metals or othermaterials suitable for deuterium-loading in such lattice assistednuclear reactions and/or cold fusion processes. Suitable examplesinclude but are not limited to nickel, including (e.g., as particulateinclusions or coatings) palladium, niobium, lithium containing ceramics,tantalum, vanadium, platinum, iridium, boron-10, and/or nickel-boronalloy. Any suitable electrolyte(s) may be used as one skilled in the artwill appreciate. Examples include but are not limited to solid lithiumthiophsphate, and/or liquid electrolytes in lithium-ion batteriesconsist of lithium salts, such as LiPF6, LiBF4, or LiClQ4 in an organicsolvent, such as ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, and diethylcarbonate, or the like; others may of course be used within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

A further aspect of the subject technology/invention of the presentdisclosure includes the application of RF energy to electrodes (e.g.,cathodes) useful or used for LANR or cold fusion processes to enhancesuch processes by supplying energy. Such cathodes may be ones withpre-existing fractal features, e.g. as shown and described herein; orthe cathodes may be ones that have fractal features created during aLANR or cold fusion process (e.g., during annealing) where the cathodedid not have fractal features prior to the LANR or cold fusion process.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate perspective views of examples 100 of electrodes(e.g., cathodes) in accordance with the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 1A, an electrode such as a cathode used for lattice assistednuclear reactions and/or cold fusion processes may have an exposedsurface having or presenting non-deterministic fractal features 102.Examples of such features can include but are not limited to ridges,grooves, pittings (pits, divots, craters, etc.), or other raised orlowered features/patterns (e.g., relative to the nominal shape of theelectrode, e.g., a cylinder with circular cross-section. As shown, theelectrode 100 a may be solid. It 100 a may be made of any suitablematerial, e.g., nickel, and may include or be covered (e.g., coated)with other suitable materials, such as metals or other materialssuitable for deuterium-loading lattice assisted nuclear reactions and/orcold fusion processes. Suitable examples include but are not limited tonickel, including (e.g., as particulate inclusions or coatings)palladium, niobium, lithium containing ceramics, tantalum, vanadium,platinum, iridium, boron-10, and/or nickel-boron alloy.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A, a surface of the electrode (e.g., acathode) may include fractal features/shapes/structures, which may beformed by any suitable methods and may be any suitable size, e.g., withfeatures having characteristic dimensions (e.g., width) or the order ofmicrons or 100's or 10's of nanometers for lattice assisted nuclearreactions and/or cold fusion processes. Suitable methods may include butare not limited to x-ray lithography, laser ablation using any suitablelight in the ultraviolet (UV), visible or infrared (IR) selected basedon the size of features desired (resolution of the laser), x-rayablation, and/or electrochemical pitting. Furthermore such features maybe coating with desired metals, metal alloys, or other materials, suchas by sputtering or electroless immersion or suitable electroplatingtechniques, or the like.

FIG. 1B depicts further examples of fractal features/shapes/structures.Such fractal-based features can include so-called diffusion limitedaggregation (“DLA”) shapes or features 104 and/or deterministic fractalfeatures 106, e.g., a Sierpinski carpet or gasket for a 2D shape or aMenger sponge for a 3D shape.

Electrodes (e.g., cathodes) with fractal features according to thepresent disclosure may have 3D features. Such 3D features may, forexample, include but are not limited to crystal structures that haveself-similar features that appear on different scales; in other words,they may be multiple-size crystals with quasi arbitrary or randomarrangement; such 3D structures may include multiple-sized pitting orlacunar surfaces. Deterministic fractals may also be used or exhibitedby the 3D features (these may be easier to implement with 3D printing orother fabrication or additive manufacturing techniques); examplesinclude but are not limited to a Menger sponge or similar structures.Embodiments may have a fractal dimension from ranging from between 2.0to 2.5, inclusive. Embodiments may have a fractal dimension from rangingfrom between 2.5 to 3.0, inclusive.

Diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) is the process whereby particlesundergoing a random walk due to Brownian motion cluster together to fmmaggregates of such particles. This theory, proposed by T. A. Witten Jr.and L. M. Sander in 1981, is applicable to aggregation in any systemwhere diffusion is the primary means of transport in the system. DLA canbe observed in many systems such as electrodeposition, Hele-Shaw flow,mineral deposits, and dielectric breakdown.

The clusters formed in DLA processes are referred to a s Brownian trees.These clusters are an example of a fractal. In 2-D these fractalsexhibit a dimension of approximately 1.71 for free particles that areunrestricted by a lattice, however computer simulation of DLA on alattice will change the fractal dimension slightly for a DLA in the sameembedding dimension. Some variations are also observed depending on thegeometry of the growth, whether it be from a single point radiallyoutward or from a plane or line for example.

Computer simulation of DLA is one of the primary means of studying thismodel. Several methods are available to accomplish this. Simulations canbe done on a lattice of any desired geometry of embedding dimension, orthe simulation can be done more along the lines of a standard moleculardynamics simulation where a particle is allowed to freely random walkuntil it gets within a cellain critical range at which time it is pulledonto the cluster. In may be desirable for such to keep the number ofparticles undergoing Brownian motion in the system low so that only thediffusive nature of the system is present.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate examples of spectrographs useful for selecting(in a selection process 200) cellain frequencies or bands/ranges offrequencies of radio frequency (RF) energy for application to cathodestructures for enhancement of lattice assisted nuclear reactions and/orcold fusion processes. The horizontal axis represents Energy ofabsorption peaks for different elements, while the vertical axisrepresents intensity. Each spectrograph shown depicts a differentcomposition for an electrode, e.g., which can be a cathode used forlattice assisted nuclear reactions and/or cold fusion processes. Basedon the materials present in such an electrode, which may be discernedfrom spectroscopic analysis, certain frequencies or bands/ranges offrequencies of radio frequency (RF) energy may be selected, e.g., by useof a look-up table, that are known or discerned to be useful (e.g.,preferential over other RF frequencies) to enhance/drive/facilitate oneor more lattice assisted nuclear reactions and/or cold fusion processes.In this way, externally applied RF energy (power) can be used to enhanceor facilitate one or more lattice assisted nuclear reactions and/or coldfusion processes. Such application of RF energy can be controlled andapplied through RF techniques known to a person of ordinary skill in theart, e.g., by use of suitable RF transmitter operating at the selectedfrequency or frequencies or band(s); any suitable modulation techniquesmay be used for such application. In exemplary embodiments, suchtransmitted RF energy that is applied to an electrode structure isselected such that it absorbed by fractal features of the electrodestructure. It may be useful for such energy (RF radiation) to have awavelength or wavelengths that are scaled to match, substantially match,or resonate with the fractal features/structures of the electrode(s).For example, the wavelength of the applied RF energy may be matched to(or a scaled version of) one or more characteristic dimensions of thefractal structure, e.g., width or length of a dendritic arm or extensionof a DLA structure shown in FIG. 1(b). For example, for a fractalstructure having a feature 1 micron in width or length, a RF frequencyof 300 THz (300000 GHz) may be desirable to use.

Examples of techniques and apparatus useful for nuclide transmutation asreferenced herein are described in the following: U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US2012269309; U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 20130044847; the entire contents of all of whichapplications are incorporated herein by reference.

As was mentioned above, a further aspect of the present invention isdirected to and can provide features (surfaces and/or three-dimensionalshapes) that are self-complementary. Such features can be used forbatteries and/or battery components in exemplary applications.

FIGS. 3A-3D depict examples 300 of self-complementary shapes useful forembodiments of the present disclosure. Features (e.g., surfaces and/orthree-dimensional shapes) that are self-complementary can be included invarious aspects of the subject technology (e.g., embodiments accordingto the present disclosure). These features can be used in and/or for theproduction of electricity, for example. Exemplary embodiments caninclude one or more electrodes (e.g., an anode and/or cathode) thatinclude one or more self-complementary features. Such electrodes can beused in or for batteries that produce electricity from nuclear and/orchemical reactions.

As shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, shaded areas, e.g., 302, can indicate surfacesor solid features that are covered with or include conductivematerial(s). For example, such shaded area(s) 302 can include thesurface of an electrode (e.g., anode and/or cathode) included within abattery or battery or electrochemical cell according to the presentdisclosure. Unshaded areas 304 can refer to or indicate open areas,e.g., voids or areas without conductive material(s).

Self-complementary features, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, or othersuch features, can provide for or facilitate desirable electricalcharacteristics such as constant or substantially constant impedanceacross the surface of the feature; such constant impedance can be for orat one or more frequencies, e.g., from a range of 5-100 Hz, includingfor example 60 Hz; other ranges may of course be used/produced withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Thus, batteries that utilize suchfeatures can facilitate or provide increased or improved electricalperformance.

Exemplary embodiments can include electrodes and/or battery componentsthat have both fractal-based and self-complementary based features. Forexample, a battery according to the present disclosure may include anelectrode that has fractal-based features and another electrode (and/orsubstrate) that includes self-complementary based features.

Accordingly embodiments/aspects of the present disclosure can offervarious advantages, such as described previously. Without theinvention(s) necessarily being limited by any described theory ofoperation, it is believed that the use of electrodes (e.g., cathodes)having pre-existing fractal features can mimic, enhance, or facilitateannealing of such cathodes when use for LANR or cold fusion processes;other benefits can include enhancing excess (or “anomalous”) heatproduction, such as may be desirable for cold fusion processes uses togenerate useful energy.

Unless otherwise indicated, the techniques for forming fractal shapes orstructures that have been described herein can be implemented with,controlled by, or facilitated by use of a computer system configured toperform the functions that have been described. Each computer systemincludes one or more processors, tangible memories (e.g., random accessmemories (RAMs), read-only memories (ROMs), and/or programmable readonly memories (PROMS)), tangible storage devices (e.g., hard diskdrives, CD/DVD drives, and/or flash memories), system buses, videoprocessing components, network communication components, input/outputports, and/or user interface devices (e.g., keyboards, pointing devices,displays, microphones, sound reproduction systems, and/or touchscreens).

Each such computer system may be a desktop computer or a portablecomputer, such as a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a tabletcomputer, a PDA, a smartphone, or part of a larger system, such avehicle, appliance, and/or telephone system.

A single computer system may be shared. Each computer system may includeone or more computers at the same or different locations. When atdifferent locations, the computers may be configured to communicate withone another through a wired and/or wireless network communicationsystem.

Each computer system may include software (e.g., one or more operatingsystems, device drivers, application programs, and/or communicationprograms). When software is included, the software includes programminginstructions and may include associated data and libraries. Whenincluded, the programming instructions are configured to implement oneor more algorithms that implement one or more of the functions of thecomputer system, as recited herein. The description of each functionthat is performed by each computer system also constitutes a descriptionof the algorithm(s) that performs that function.

The software may be stored on or in one or more non-transitory, tangiblestorage devices, such as one or more hard disk drives, CDs, DVDs, and/orflash memories. The software may be in source code and/or object codeformat. Associated data may be stored in any type of volatile and/ornon-volatile memory. The software may be loaded into a non-transitorymemory and executed by one or more processors.

The components, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages thathave been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor thediscussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope ofprotection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated.These include embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or differentcomponents, steps, features, objects, benefits, and advantages. Thesealso include embodiments in which the components and/or steps arearranged and/or ordered differently.

Unless otherwise stated, all measurements, values, ratings, positions,magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in thisspecification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, notexact. They are intended to have a reasonable/range that is consistentwith the functions to which they relate and with what is customary inthe art to which they pertain.

All articles, patents, patent applications, and other publications thathave been cited in this disclosure are incorporated herein by reference.

The phrase “means for” when used in a claim is intended to and should beinterpreted to embrace the corresponding structures and materials thathave been described and their equivalents. Similarly, the phrase “stepfor” when used in a claim is intended to and should be interpreted toembrace the corresponding acts that have been described and theirequivalents. The absence of these phrases from a claim means that theclaim is not intended to and should not be interpreted to be limited tothese corresponding structures, materials, or acts, or to theirequivalents.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow.That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as isconsistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in theclaims when interpreted in light of this specification and theprosecution history that follows, except where specific meanings havebeen set forth, and to encompass all structural and functionalequivalents.

Relational terms such as “first” and “second” and the like may be usedsolely to distinguish one entity or action from another, withoutnecessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or orderbetween them. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” and any othervariation thereof when used in connection with a list of elements in thespecification or claims is intended to indicate that the list is notexclusive and that other elements may be included. Similarly, an elementpreceded by an “a” or an “an” does not, without further constraints,preclude the existence of additional elements of the identical type.

None of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails tosatisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act,nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended coverage ofsuch subject matter is hereby disclaimed. Except as just stated in thisparagraph, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended orshould be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step,feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public,regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

The abstract is provided to help the reader quickly ascertain the natureof the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding thatit will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of theclaims. In addition, various features in the foregoing detaileddescription are grouped together in various embodiments to streamlinethe disclosure. This method of disclosure should not be interpreted asrequiring claimed embodiments to require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are herebyincorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing onits own as separately claimed subject matter.

The following clauses pertain to exemplary embodiments.

1. An electrode including a surface having fractal-based features,wherein the features can be pre-existing features made prior to use fora LANR or cold fusion process.

2. The electrode of clause 1, wherein the fractal-based features aredeterministic. 3. The electrode of clause 1, wherein the fractal-basedfeatures are non-deterministic. 4. The electrode of clause 1, whereinnon-deterministic features comprised DLA features. 5. The electrode ofclause 1 including nickel. 6. The electrode of clause 1 or 5 including(e.g., as particulate inclusions or coatings) palladium, niobium,lithium containing ceramics, tantalum, vanadium, platinum, iridium,boron-10, and/or nickel-boron alloy.

7. The electrode of clause 1 or 5 made by any suitable methods and thatmay be/is of any suitable size, e.g., with features havingcharacteristic dimensions (e.g., width) or the order of microns or 100'sor 10's of nanometers for lattice assisted nuclear reactions and/or coldfusion processes; wherein suitable methods may include but are notlimited to x-ray lithography, laser ablation using any suitable light inthe ultraviolet (UV), visible or infrared (IR) selected based on thesize of features desired (resolution of the laser), x-ray ablation,and/or electrochemical pitting; wherein such features may be coatingwith desired metals, metal alloys, or other materials, such as bysputtering or electroless immersion or suitable electroplatingtechniques, or the like.

8. A method of using an electrode having pre-existing fractal-basedstructures to create transmutated products or to cause transmutation ofcompositions of matter, from a first state prior to a LANR or coldfusion process, to a second state different than the first, after a LANRor cold fusion process.

9. A method of making an electrode of clauses 1 through 6.

10. A method of applying RF energy to an electrode having fractalfeatures (e.g., features having shapes based on, characterized by,characteristic of or including truncated series or iterations or ordersor generations or iterations of a fractal or fractals).

11. The method of clause 10, wherein the electrode is according to anyof clauses 1-7.

12. The method of clauses 10 or 11, wherein the frequency or frequenciesof the RF energy is selected according to a look-up table (LUT), whichmay be in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

13. The method of clause 12, wherein the frequency or frequencies (forselection) in the LUT correspond to a spectrograph for certain materialsused for electrodes.

14. Any of clauses 1 through 13, wherein the electrode is a cathode.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery comprising: a first electrode includinga surface having a plurality of fractal features, wherein the pluralityof fractal features include diffusion-limited aggregation (DLA) treestructure; a second electrode; an electrolyte, wherein in operation theelectrolyte forms a first conductive path ionically connecting the firstelectrode to the second electrode, and a second conductive path,separate from the first conductive path, connecting the first electrodeto the second electrode, wherein an electrical circuit is formed;wherein the first electrode DLA tree structures form an interface withthe electrolyte.
 2. The battery of claim 1, wherein the first electrodecomprises a self-complementary feature.
 3. The battery of claim 1,wherein the DLA tree structure is three-dimensional.
 4. The battery ofclaim 1, wherein the second electrode comprises diffusion limitedaggregation (DLA) tree structure.
 5. The battery of claim 4, wherein thesecond electrode comprises a self-complementary feature.
 6. The batteryof claim 4, wherein the DLA tree structure is three-dimensional.